Surgical splint



4, 1931. J. R. ISIEBRANDT SURGICAL SPLINT Filed May -18, 1928 lhl 1INVENTOR BY J19. Mmndf,

A TTORNE Y Patented Aug. 4, 1931 JOHN R. SIEBRANDT, OF KANSAS CITY,MISSOURI SURGICAL SPLINT Application filed May 18,

The present invention relates to splints for surgical use, and aims toprovide a novel and improved device of this character adapted for use asa splint for either the thumb or any one of the fingers of a hand andwhich will permit of any required range of adjustment of the splintelements aswell as afford efiicient bracing function for the purpose ofsecurely bracing and holding the splint elements in correct position.

Accordingly, for carrying out this general purpose of my invention, Ihave devised a splint structure which comprises a body or end portionfor the support of the splint elements and providedwith means forsecurely fastening the cuff to the palm of the band, together with meanswhereby the several splint elements may be variously adjusted inaccordance with the length and position of the members to which they areapplied.

It is also sought to provide a splint device having as a novel featurethe provision of an extension or wing designed to conform to the base orfleshy portion of the thumb of the counteracting any thrust in thedirection of anyone of the fingers to which splint elements may beapplied.

It is further sought to provide .a novel splint structure of thisgeneral character in which the means of attachment for the sev eralsplint elements will include fastening members permittingof readyattachment or removal as well as the required adjustment of the samewithin suitable range.

WVith the-foregoing general objects in view, the invention will now bedescribed by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating oneform of construction which I have devised for embodying my proposedimprovements, after which the novel features thereof and combinationswill be set forth and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of aihand fitted with asurgical-splint embodying the'present features of improvement;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the opposite side of the device aswell as the hand for bracing the splint structure and Serial No.278,783.

means for securing the same at the back of the hand;

Figures 3 and 4t are enlarged sectional dctail views, representingsections taken on the lines III-I1I and IV-IV, respectively, of Figure 1and Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view, showing one of the slotsalong which the splint elements are adjusted, and illustrating theenlarged end of the slot permitting removal of the adjusting andclamping bolt.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, this illustrates the improvedsplint device as comprising a body portion 6, which is designed to bemolded or stamped from suitable material, such as metallic, fiber orother appropriate material adapted to be conformed substantially to thecontour of the palm of the hand, the margin of the blank being suitablyrolled or beaded as indicated at 7 to give a more finished appearance aswell as strengthen the device along the margin. At each end of the bodyportion at the back of the hand is provided a slot 8 for the passage ofa strap 9 having a suitable buckle or equivalent fastening member 10 forsecuring the body portion 6 in its position of use, as clearlyillustrated in Figure 2.

Along the principal margin of the body portion 6, corresponding to theproximal e endsof the fingers, I provide a slot 12 of appropriate lengthfor the adjustment of one or more finger splints 1.4 in proper positionfor application to any one or more of the fingers 11 of the hand, asshown in Figure 1. Each splint member it is of slightly concave contourin cross-section, shown in Figure L, and formed with a terminal portion15 extending laterally in position for protecting the distal end of thefinger. The opposite end of each splint member 14 is formed with alongitudinal adjustingslot 16 at opposite sides of which are stampedparallel ribs 17 against which is adapted to be clamped friction disk 18mounted within a washer 19 carried by a bolt 20. This bolt 20 isadustable along the slot 12, one end of which is formed with an enlargedopening 22 for permitting the head 20 of the bolt to be convenicntlyinserted or removed from the slot 12 ion : without the necessity ofremoving the wing underside of the slot 12, as represented in Figure 3.Both margins of the slot 12 are formed with the registering corrugations24 properly arranged and spaced for the seating of the opposite inturnededges of the splint elements 14, as represented in Figure 4, wherebywhen the nut 23 is turned down to clamp the splint, the latter issecurely and rigidly held against any tendency toturn in eitherdirectien about the axis of the bolt 20.

At the back of the hand, the margin of the body portion 6 is cut away atone side to accommodate the base of the thumb 25, as shown in Fig. 2,while at the opposite or palm side of the hand the body portion 6 isformed with an angular extension or wing-26 which may be bent to conformsubstantially to the base or fleshy portion of the thumb, as representedin Figure 1. By this means, the body portion of the device is securelybraced against this base portionof the thumb, to counteract any thrusttransmitted by the action of the splint members 14.

It is also a part of theinvention to utilize this wing extension26 forthe support of a thumb splint 27 of the same general nature as thefinger splints 14, and having the distal terminal 27 as well as thelongitudinal adjusting slot 16 for adjustably securing the splint 27 tothe wing extension 26 by means of a bolt 20 and nut 23, the head of thebolt 12, which features of the construction are in all essentialrespects similar to that described for the securin and ad'ustment of thes lint 14. The splint 17'is also curved in cross-section, fitting thecurvature of the wing 26 (Fig. 3), thus preventing any turning movementof the splint. f

In the use and operation of thedevice as a thumb splint, there is alwaysa tendency for the opposite side of the body support 6' to be forcedaway from the hand, and to counteract this tendency, I provide a bracingextension 30 secured, as by rivets 31; or the like, to the body portion6, and extending downward in position for being strapped to the wristportion of the arm, as by means of a strap element 32 extending througha slot 33 formed in said extension 30, and having a suitable buckle 34:or other equivalent fastening device for fastening the strap in place asshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will thus be apparent that I have devised a practical and eflicientdevice for carrying out all the desired objects of my invention, thesame being adapted to be economically constructed from appropriatematerial by molding or stamping the same therefrom, the materialpreferably being of comparatheir correct position, and if a thumb splintI is used, this also may be applied and adjusted and secured in the samemanner. thestrap 32 also drawn and secured by means of the buckleelement 34:, the device will thereafter remain securely held and bracedfor maintainingthe several splint elements in their proper rigidrelation for effecting the required supporting and bracing functionswhich characterize devices of this kind.

lVhile I have illustrated and. described what I now regard as thepreferred form of construction for embodying my proposed improvements, Idesire'to reserve the right to make all such changes or, modificationsas may fairly fall within'the scope of the appended claims. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1. A surgical splint'structure comprising a body portionhaving meansforsecuring the same to the palm of the hand, and a fingersplint element adjustably secured to said body portion, said bodyportion also having a wing extension disposed at an angle to the majorplane of said body portion, and conforming to the base of the thumbforbracing engagement therewith. v V being received Within an opening 22of a slot 2. A surgical splint structure comprising a body portionhaving means for securing the same to the palm of the hand, and a fingersplint element secur'edto said body portion and having provision for,both, lateral and longitudinal adjustment, .said body portion having anextension disposedat anangle-to the major plane of said body portion,and conforming to the base of the thumb for bracing engagement therewithandv'also a brace extension provided with means for securing thesametothe wrist. 1

3. A surgicalsplint structure comprising a body portion provided with awing extension disposed at an angle to the majorplane of said bodyportion, and conforming to the base of'the thumb for bracing engagementtherewith, means for securing said bodyportion to the palm of the hand,and a splint adjustably'secured to the bod'y portion. 7

' 4. A surgical splint structure comprising a body portion provided witha wing extension disposed at an angle to the major plane of said bodyportion, and conforming to the base of the thumb "for bracing engagementtherewith, and also with a brace extension provided with means forsecuringthe same to the wrist, and a thumb splintadjustably secured tosaid angular extension.

With

5. A surgical splint structure comprising a body portion provided with awing exten: sion disposed at an angle to the major plane of said bodyportion, and conforming to the base of the thumb for bracing engagementtherewith, and also with a brace extension at the opposite side of saidbody portion from said wing extensiommeans for securing said braceextension to the Wrist, and a thumb splint adjustably secured to said 1ngular Wing extension.

6. A surgical splint structure comprising a'body portion having meansfor securing the same to the palm of the hand, and a finger splintelement secured to said body portion and having provision for bothlateral and I longitudinal adjustment, said body portion having anextension disposed at an angle to the major plane of said body portion,and conforming to the base of the thumb for bracing engagement therewithand also a brace extension provided with means for securing the same tothe Wrist, and a thumb splint adjustably secured to said angular Wingextension.

In witness whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JOHN R. SIEBRANDT.

